The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-10-16

| 80 .--..,...s.. ..uufgtsi the tnougnt
| Of following IT, and facing him with the
proof Of his guilt: but even at the thought
She recoiled with new and sudden doubt
in herself, and stood dreamily watching
the simmer Of the moon on the icy banks,
until another, and, il seemed 10 her,
equally unreal vision suddenly stayed her
feet. and drove the blood from her feyerist
| cheeks.
A four. was slowly approaching from
the direction Of the sleeping encampment
Tall. erect and habited in a gray surtOut
with hood partially concealing its face
il was the counterfeit presentment of the
ghostly yisitant she had heard described
Thankful scarcely breathed. The brave
little heart that had not quailed be-
fore the sentrys leveled .musket a mo-
ment before now faltered and stood
still, as the phantom with a slow
and majestic tread moved toward her.
She had only time 10 gain the shelter Of
tree before the figure, majestically uncOn-
scOus Of her presence, passed slowly by.
Through all her terror Thankful was still
true TO a certain rustic habit Of practical
perception 20 observe that the tread Of the
phantom was quite audible oyer the crust
Of snow and was visible and palpable as
the imprint Of a military boot.
The blood came back 10 ThaHkfuls
cheek and with il her old audacity. I'm
another instant she was Out from the
tree and tracking with light feline tread
the apparition that now doomed mp the
bin before her Slipping from tree 10
tree. she followed 10 until 10 passed before
the door of a low hut or farm shed that
stood midway mp the bill Here it en-
tered and the door closed behind it With
every sense feverishly alert. Thankful,
from the secure advantage of a large ma
pie. watched the door of the hut In q
few moments 10 reOpened 20 the same fig.
urofree of IFS gray cuWrappiug- For
getful Of everything now hui detecting
the face of the imp0-tOr. the fearless girl
left the tree and placed herself directly foo
the path of the figure AT the same mo-
ment 10 turned toward her inquiringly.
and the moonlight fell upon the calm.
composed fclture- of Gen Washington
In her CONSERVATION Thankful could
only drop an embarrassed courtesy and
hang ont two lovely siI.s of distress in
her cheeks The face of the pseudo ghost
alone remained uumoyed.
you are wandering late. Mistress
Dee said at last. with pater-
nal gravity; "and ] fear that the formal
restraint of military household has
already given you some embarrassment .
Ionder sentry, for instance might have
stopped YOU.
"Oh, he did" said Thankful quickly
but it's all right, please your eXcellenoy. .
He asked me who went there. and ! .
told him, and he WIS vastly polite. / as
sure YOU
The grave features of the commander
s-chief relaxed I'm a smile "N0u are .
more happy than most of your sex IN
urniug q verbal compliment tO practical
Iccount For know then, dear young
ady, that in honor OF your visit 90 the
headquarters the password tonight
Trough this encampment was none other
han your own pretty patronymic-
Thankful Blossom. 'n
The tears Qiittered in the girls ewes
nd her Dip tremblcd. but. with AN her
ead.ness of speech she could only -ay
oh, your eXceiencyr
"1hen You DID pass the sentry, COM
'nucd Washington. looking ather ntenly
nth q certain grave watchfuiue-s iu his
ray eyes And doubtless yon wandered
Q the river bank Although ] myself
,mpted by fhe night. sometimes extend
ny walk as far as yOndcr shed 10 were
act for young lady tO pass be-.
ond the protection of the line.
con ] met no one. your eXcellency,'
nd the usually truthful Thankful hastily.
lshing TO her first lie with grateful im-
atu0sity.
"And saw no one2' asked Washington
uietly.
mo one" said Thankful, raising her
rOwn eyes 90 the Generals.
They both looked at each other-the
lturally most yeracious Young woman in
ne colonies. and the subsequent allcgori
ii impersonation Of truth in America
nd knew each other lied and, ! imagine
spected each other for TO-
81 ann glad 10 hear yos say so Mistress
thankful. said Washington quietly. flor i
would have been natural for yOu To- have L
ught an interview with your recreaut q
Yer In yondcr camp. though the attempt
Guild have been uuwISe and impossible
81 had mo- such thought. your excel
ncy. said Thankful who had really
ute forgotten her late Intention. yet. B
with permission | could hold few
converse WIKI Can't Brewster
would greatly ease my uund
'Iwould not be well for the present. G
id Washington thOughtfuly But iu a
day or two Capt Brewster wiN he tried a
cOurtmartial At M0rristOWu II shall D
so ordered that when he is conveyed q
;ther his guard shall halt 70 the Bios S
m Farm. | will see that the officer in q
mmand gives you an opportunity 10 see
m. And ! think / can promise also. d
istress Thankful, that Your father shalt f
also present under his own roof, free d
ln. n
They had reached the entrance 10 the D.
insi0n, and entered the hall Thankful o
rned impulsiyely and kissed the ex- n
ided hand Of the commander "N0u u
. so good ] have been so fOolish-s0
ry very wrong, ' she said. with slight il
mbling Of her lip. And your excel cl
ICY believes my story; and those gentle II
n were not spies, but even AS they gave "
.mselyes 10 be- ~ nj
Il said not that much, replied Wash
;ton with kindly smile, but no mat q
Tell me rather Mistress Thankful 81